Apparatus for transmitting and modifying motion



R. B. WENGER July 27, 1965 APPARATUS FOR TRANSMITTING AND MODIFYING MOTION Filed March 26, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet l FIG.

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United States Patent O 3,196,697 AFRARA'EUS FR TRANSIVETTING AND MODIFYING MQTIN Richard I. Wenger, 261) Main St., Saugerties, NY. Filed Mar. 26, 1963, Ser. No. 263,129 8 Claims. (Cl. 74--22) This invention relates to power transmission systems, and more particularly to systems for converting motion of one type into motion of a different type, for example, for converting rectilinear or rotary motion into reciproeating motion.

The main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved power transmission system for conversion of motion of an essentially unidirectional type into motion of a reciprocating type, the invention involving relatively simple components, being efficient in operation, and providing smooth and reciprocating action.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved power transmission mechanism to develop reciprocating motion, said mechanism involving relatively inexpensive components, operating with a minimum amount of wear and noise, and distributing the reversing portions of its cycle of motion in a manner to minimize the forces of acceleration developed by the changes in direction of its parts.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanism for developing reciprocating motion, said mechanism employing gearingly related members which also act as anti-friction members and which cooperate to translate essentially rectilinear movement into reciprocating movement of an essentially sinusoidal type, the translation of motion being accomplished with high eiiciency, with relatively low heat loss, and without imposing excessive mechanical stresses on the cooperating parts.

A still further object of the invention'is to provide an improved power transmission device for converting rectilinear or rotary motion into reciprocating motion, the active elements of the mechanism combining the functions of bearings and gears and operating totranslate the applied motion into reciprocating motion in an efficient, relatively quiet and completely controlled manner, whereby the mechanism is particularly useful for a wide variety of practical applications, such as in rock drills, article vibrating devices, or in any other apparatus requiring the reciprocation of an element with relatively small amplitude, such as in weaving, or the like.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of one form of power transmission device according to the present invention wherein a first main element is reciprocated laterally relative to a second main element responsive to a longitudinal driving7 force applied to said iirst element, the rst main element beingshown at one limit of `lateral excursion thereof. t

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the structure of FIGURE 1 with the rst main element being shown at the opposite limit of its lateral excursion.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the structure of FIGURES 1 and 2, shown partly in vertical cross section.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary plan View of the parts of the mechanism of FIGURES 1 to 3, the parts being shown in separated positions. t

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary horizontal cross sectional view taken through a mechanism for converting rotary 1- an equilateral triangle.

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drive into axial reciprocating motion, in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 7 is an elevational View of the motion converting mechanism of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view taken lthrough a rock drill employing a motion converting mechanism according to the present invention, namely a mechanism for translating rotary drive into axial reciprocation, similar to that disclosed in FIGURES 6 and 7.

FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view of an object vibrating machine employing a motion converting mechanism according to the present invention, namely, a machine for shaking or vibrating a container wherein longitudinal movement of the object supporting platform element is converted into transverse reciprocating movement thereof.

FIGURE 10 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of the apparatus of FIGURE 9.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGURES 1 to 5, inclusive, 11 generally designates a typical apparatus constructed in accordance with and employing the principles of the present invention. The a paratus 11 is intended to convert or transform longitudinal driving force applied to a bar member 12 into lateral reciprocatory movement thereof relative to a stationary bottom bar 13. rIhus, the bottom bar 13 may be secured on any suitable support, for example, a horizontal surface, and the top member 12 may be mounted so that it can move in a plane parallel to the plane of the bottom member 13 and is conected to a suitable means for applying longitudinally directed force thereto, for example, for driving the member 12 in a longitudinal direction, the member 12 being free to reciprocate laterally while being so driven.

The stationary bottom bar member 13 has a top surface provided with two rows of upwardly facing spherically-shaped cavities 14 and 15, said cavities being of identical size and shape but being staggered relative to each other, as is clearly shown in FIGURE 4, the longitudinal spacing between the cavities being uniform. The bottom surface of the upper bar member 12 is formed with similar downwardly facing cavities of the same spherical shape and size and being arranged in two staggered rows 16 and 17, the cavities 16 being uniformly spaced and the cavities 17 being uniformly spaced at the same spacing as the cavities 16 but being staggered relative thereto, as is clearly shown in FIGURE 4. As will be further apparent from FIGURE 4, the center lines connecting the cavities 16 and 17 are more closely spaced than the center lines connecting the cavities 14 and 15, for a purpose which will presently appear.

The bottom bar member or raceway 13 is provided at its side edges with upstanding marginal anges 18, 18, serving as retaining flanges, and the top bar member or raceway 12 is similarly provided with depending marginal flanges 19, 19 at its side edges, likewise serving as retaining flanges.

From FIGURES 1, 2 and 4, it will be seen that the recesses 14 and 1S in the raceway member 13 are located so that their centers define equilateral triangles, namely, so that two successive recesses of one row and the intermediately adjacent recess of the other row always defines In other words, the center lines between the central points of the recesses, when connected from one row to the next successively will make angles of 60 with each other, as shown in FIGURE 4. However, the recesses 16 and 1'7 of the race member 12 are so located that the lines connecting the centers of successive recesses 16 and 17 will make angles of 120 with each other, as is shown in FIGURE 4.

Disposed between the race bars l2 and 33,31 are one or more gearing elements Ztl in the form of a rigid body of generally tetrahedron shape whose corner portions are spherically rounded to pivotally engage in the respective spherically rounded recesses i4, l5, lo and i7. Thus, the gearing elements E@ may consist of four substantially identical bearing balls having the same radius as the recesses 114, l5, lo and i7 and being rigidly secured together in peripherally engaging relationship, as shown in FIGURE 4, to define a regular tetrahedron whose respective corners comprise spheres. The equilateral triangle defined by the base portion of the tetrahedral body 2t? is yidentical with the equilateral triangle deined by three successive recesses l5, i4, l or i4, l5, i4 of the race bar member 13. Obviously, the tetrahedral body may tumble around axes dehned by any two of its base spherical corner components, whereupon in the new position of the gearing element its base again defines an cquilateral triangle. Y

As shown "in FGURE l, with the gearing element Ztl disposed between the race members in the position shown, a longitudinal force applied to the upper race bar i2 directed toward the right, as Vviewed in FIGURE l, will cause the gearing element 2d to tumble or rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow Z4, namely, upwardly and to the right, as viewed in FIGURE l, giving the upper race bar i2 a component of lateral motion tending to move it transversely, as diagrammatically indicated by the arrow 26 in FIGURE l. Thus, the race bar l2 will shift from the position of FiGURE l to the position of FIGURE 2. Continued application of rightward force to the upper race bar l2 will cause the gearing element Ztl to again tumble, this time in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIGURE 2, namely, in a direction to cause the race bar l2 to be moved transversely baci'` toward the position thereof shown in FIGURE l. Continued rightward movement of the upper race member l2 relative tothe lower race member 13 will cause the upper race member to reciprocate transversely and will give it a substantially sinusoidal path of movement relative to the lower race bar i3, whereby, it will move substantially parallel to the lower race bar but will si- A multaneously reciprocate laterally or transversely relative thereto.

As will be readily apparent, the tetrahedral body 2) will tumble or roll continuously, pivoting in the upper and lower pairs of recesses i4, l5 and lo, 17, operating like a gear or cog between the race members l2 and 13.

Any desired number of lgearing elements 2li may be employed between the raceway members l2 and 13, in accordance with the specific requirement of the apparatus in which the power transmission device is employed.

Referring now to FGURES 6 and 7, there is illustrated an application of the principle of the present invention to the conversion of torque or rotational force into axial reciprocating force. Thus 3% designates a stationary outer raceway which is of annular shape and which is formed on its inside surface with two staggered rows of inwardly facing spherical cavities i4 and i5', and 3l designates a shaft which is driven rotationally by any suitable power source, while being free to reciprocate in an axial direction. Rigidly secured on shaft 3l inside the raceway 3@ is an inner raceway collar 32 which is formed with two staggered rows of outwardly facing spherical cavities i6 and 17.

The cavities 14' and l5 are arranged relative to each other substantially in the manner of the cavities I4 and l5 of the raceway member 1 3 of FIGURE 4, and the cavities lo' and i7 are arranged relative to each other in a manner generally similar to that in which the cavities lo and 17 of the raceway l2 of FIGURE 4 are arranged.

Disposed between the raceway members and 32, are aplurality of tetrahedral gearing elements Ztl, as above described, whose spherical corner portions pivotally engage in the recesses i4', l5 and 16', 17', so as to reciprocate the collar element 32 in an axial direction responsive to rotation of the shaft 3l with respect to the outer raceway member 'tl. Thus, when the shaft 3i rotates with the outer raceway member Eil held stationary, the cog or gearing element Ztl will tumble in the manner previously described to reciprocate the shaft 3l axially while it is rotating, because of the reaction developed by the stationary outer raceway member Eil.

The gearing elements 2@ serve also as bearings for the shaft member Sill, providing smooth and efficient transmission of power to the shaft accompanied by the resolution of the torque applied thereto into. rotational and reciprocatory components.

, It will be understood that the shaft 3l will be suitably loaded, and that said shaft will be driven under its load, being rotated and being simultaneously reciprocated in the direction of its axis by the tumbling action of the gearing elements Ztl, as above described, while the outer raceway member il@ is held stationary.

ln the case of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FlGURES l to 5, the bar members l2 and l are urged towards each other, for example, by a load on the upper bar member l2, and the upper bar member l2 is driven while under its load so as to be reciprocated laterally while it is being driven longitudinally, by the tumbling action of the gearing elements Ed, as above described.

FIGURE 8 illustrates a practical application of the device of the present invention, embodied in a rock drill, designated generally at 40. The drill 4t? comprises a main housing 41 which is vertically elongated and which is provided in its upper portion with an electric motor 42 having a depending vertical output shaft 43 which is journaled at its bottom end in a bearing lug 44 integrally formed in the wall of the housing 4l and projecting inwardly, so that the shaft 43 is rotatably supported adjacent to and parallel to the inner wall of said housing 4I. The upper portion of the shaft 43 extends rotatably through and is rotatably supported by a horizontal partitition wall 44 secured in the main housing 41.

The lower portion of the shaft 43 is integrally 'formed with gear teeth 45 which mesh with a substantially larger gear 46 mounted on the spindle shaft 47 of the rock drill bit 48, the top end portion of the spindle shaft 47 being reduced, as shown at 49, and being rotatably engaged centrally in the partition wall 44. The reduced portion 49 of spindle shaft 47 is also slidable axially relative to the partition wall 44, so that it can both rotate and reciprocate vertically.

The spindle shaft of the rock drill is provided with a cylindrical intermediate portionV 50 which extends rotatably and slidably through a gland assembly 51 provided centrally on the circular bottom wall 52 of main housing 41, the shaft portion 50 being rotatable and slidable in the gland assembly 51. The lower portion of the cylindrical wall of housing 41 is annularly recessed, as shown at 53, and secured in said annularly recessed lower portion is the outer race member 30 of an assembly similar to that illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7, said outer race member having inwardly facing spherical recesses, as previously described, in which are pivotally engaged the spherically shaped corner portions of a plurality of tetrahedral gearing elements 2.0. Secured on the spindle shaft 47 within and concentrically with the outer race member Sil is an inner race collar member 32 having outwardly facing spherical recesses arranged in two rows staggered with respect t-o each other, and pivotally receiving the spherically rounded -cornerrportions of the tetrahedral gearing elements 20. The inner race member 32 is' held against the annular shoulder defined by the top of shaft portion 50 by a retaining collar 54 rigidly secured on the spindle shaft 47 by a transversely extending headed fastening pin member 55, so that the inner race member 32 is rigidly secured on the spindle shaft 47. As shown in FIGURE 8, a locking key 56 may be provided for engaging in -opposing grooves in the spindle shaft 47 and the inside bore of race member 32 to prevent relative rotation of the race member with respect to the spindle shaft 47.

In operation, the motor 42 drives the spindle shaft 47 through the gear members 45 and 46, causing the inner race member 32 to be rotated. The tumbling action of the cog or gear elements 20, as above described, causes the shaft 47 to reciprocate axially while it is being rotated, thus providing the drill bit 48 with the same type of movement, namely, vertical reciprocation simultaneous with rotation. i

Suitable lubricant may be provided between the inner race member 32 and the outer race member 30, since a lubricant well is defined between said race members. Lubrication of the bearing members 20 facilitates their free tumbling action and the pivoting action of their spherical corner elements in the recesses of the raceway members 30 and 32, facilitating the smooth and eliicient transmission of power through the mechanism.

FIGURES 9 and 10 illustrate another practical applicaof a motion converting device according to the present invention, embodied in a material vibrating apparatus, designated generally at 60. The apparatus 60 comprises a stationary base 61 over which extends a movable platform 62, the platform being supported by a plurality of cooperating tetrahedral gearing elements 2li supportingly arranged between the platform 62 and the base 61. Thus, the platform 62 may be substantially rectangular, as illustrated, and the tetrahedral gearing elements 20 may be provided between the respective corner portions of the platform and the base member 61. Each portion of the base member beneath a corner area of the platform is formed with two rows of staggered spherical recesses 14 and 15, similar to those provided in the lower raceway member 13 of FIGURES 1 to 4, and the underside of the platform member 62 is formed with downwardly facing pairs of staggered rows of recesses, similar to the staggered rows of recesses 16 and 17 of FIGURES 1 to 4, located over the rows of recesses 14 and 15 and being arranged parallel thereto. The staggered rows of recesses may be arranged longitudinally, as illustrated in FIGURE l0, namely, in the direction of the length of the rectangular platform 62.

Disposed beneath each corner portion of the platform 62 is a tetrahedral gearing element 20 pivotally engaging in the recesses 14, ofthe base member 61 and the downwardly facing spherical recesses of the platform member 62 and being cooperable therewith to reciprocate the platform member 62 transversely while it is being moved longitudinally. A drive rod 65 is connected to the intermediate portion iof one end of the platform member 62, the drive rod 65 being connected to a suitable source of driving power which applies a reciprocating longitudinal force to the drive rod, tending to move the drive rod 65 back and forth along its longitudinal axis. The drive rod 65 is sufficiently exible so that it can deviate laterally in accordance with the transverse or lateral movement of the platform 62. Said lateral movement is produced by the resolution of the applied force into respective reacti-ons tending to move the platform 62 laterally while it is being driven longitudinally, because of the above described tumbling action of the gearing elements 20, to provide a path of movement represented generally by the sinusoidally shaped line 67 in FIGURE 10.

Supported on the platform 62 is a container 68 in which is disposed the material to be agitated or shaken. The load acting on the platform 62 is such as to maintain the gearing elements continuously in pivotal engagement with the recesses of the base member 61 and the paltform member 62 and to insure continuous coupling action between these members while the platform member 62 is being longitudinally reciprocated by the drive rod 65.

While certain specific embodiments of an improved S device for converting motion has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled inthe art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device for converting motion, a lirst race member having a surface provided ywithl a pair of parallel staggered rows of recesses, a second race member having a surface facing said first-named surface and provided wit-h a pair of parallel staggered rows of recesses extending parallel to said lfirst-named rows, and la substantially tetrahedral rigid body interposed between said race members and having corner portions gearingly engaging in said recesses, said body being rotatably responsive to a force applied to one of said .race members with the other race lmember held stationary, and Adeveloping a reaction moving said one race lmember laterally with respect to the `direction of said force.

2. In a device for converting motion, a first race member having -a surface provided with .a pair of parallel staggered rows of lspherioally curved recesses, a second race member Lhaving a surface facing said vfirst-named surface and provided with a pair of parallel staggered rows of yspherically curved recesses extending parallel to said first-named rows, and a substantially tetrahedral rigid body interposed between said race members and having spherically curved corner portions gearingly engaging in said recesses, said body being rotatably responsive to a force applied lto one of said race members with t-he other race member held stationary, and developing a reaction moving said one race member laterally with respect to the direction of said force.

3. In a device for converting motion, la -rst race memlber having a surface provided with a pair fof parallel staggered rows of recesses, said recesses being spaced so that two successive recesses of one row and vthe intermediately adjacent recess of the other row Adefine an equilateral triangle, a second race member having a surface facing said first-named surface and -provided with a pair of parallel staggered rows of recesses exten-ding parallel to said rst-named rows, Iand a substantially tetrahedral rigid body interposed between said race members and having Icorner portions gearingly engaging in said recesses, said body being rotatably responsive to a force applied to one of said race members with the other race member held stationary, and developing a reaction moving said :one race member laterally with respect t-o the direction of said force.

4. In Ia device for converting motion, a `first race mem- Iber having a surface provided with ya pair of parallel staggered rows of spherically curved recesses, said recesses being spaced so that two successive recesses of one row and the intermediately adjacent recess of the other row `define an equilateral triangle, a second race member having a surface facing said first-named surface and provided Iwith a pair of parallel staggered rows of spherically curved recesses extending parallel to said first-named rows, and a substantially tetrahedral Irigid body interposed between said race members and having spherioally curved corner ball portions gearingly engaging in said recesses, said body being rotatably responsive to a force applied to one of said race members 4with the other race member held stationary, and developing a reaction moving said one race member laterally with respect t-o the direction of said force.

5. In a device Ifor transforming motion, a yfirst support member, means on said first support member defining three concave seats spaced to define an equilateral triangle, respective bearing balls -disposed in said seats, a second support lmember .opposing and being substantially parallel to said lfirst support member, means defining a concave seat in said second support member facing said iirst-named seats, a bearing ball in said last-named seat rigidly secured at its periphery to the peripheries 'of the three iirst-niamed bearing balls, and means to yapply a force to one of said sup-port members acting .in a direction lsubstantially parallel t-o said support members, whereby to develop -a reaction directed laterally relative to the direction :of said torce.

`6. in a `device for transforming motion, a -rst support member, means on said trst support lmember defining three conoave seats spaced to dene an equilateral triangle, respective bearing balls disposed in said seats and rigidly peripherally :secured to each other, a ysecond support member-opposing and being substantially .parallel to said tirst support member, means defining a concave seat on said second support member facing said irst-named seats, :a 'bearing fball in said last-named seat rigidly lsecured at its periphery to the peripheries of the three tir-striarned bearing balls, ysaid bearing ball-s being all of the same diameter, and means to apply ia force to'one yof said support members .acting ina direction substantially parallel to said support members, whereby to develop a reaction directed laterally relative to the direction of .said force.

'7. In fa motion transforming device, a first tbody, a vsecond body disposed adjacent and lsubstantially parallel CIl to said first body, means to apply a rectilinearly directed force to said tir-st body, means to restrain movement of tbe second vlbody, a rst'group of bearing Iballs pivotally `seated in the inside surface of one of said Ibodies, said .group'including tat least three 'balls rigidly .secured together in 4a -triangular conguration, and at least one bearing bail pivotally seated in the other lbody'and rigidly secured at its periphery t0 the peripheries of said three first-named bearing balls, whereby to develop a reaction tending to devia-te the driven body in .a lateral direction Arelative to the direction "of application kof said force.

8. The structure of claim 1, and Weherein said race members are substantially annular tand are concentricall arrange Referer-.rees Cited by the mamme;

UNITED STATES lPATENTS D. 29,532 10/98l Wogiom 1374-42 2,226,137 12/40 Pesi 74h22, Xa 2,547,594 4/5-1 o-hissonr 74-50 FOREIGN PATENTS 502,872 3/39 Gre-at Britain.v

BROUGHTONv G. DURHAM, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A DEVICE FOR CONVERTING MOTION, A FIRST RACE MEMBER HAVING A SURFACE PROVIDED WITH A PAIR OF PARALLEL STAGGERED ROWS OF RECESSES, A SECOND RACE MEMBER HAVING A SURFACE FACING SAID FIRST-NAMED SURFACE AND PROVIDED WITH A PAIR OF PARALLEL STAGGERED ROWS OF RECESSES EXTENDING PARALLEL TO SAID FIRST-NAMED ROWS, AND A SUBSTANTIALLY TETRAHADRAL RIGID BODY INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID RACE MEMBERS AND HAVING CORNER PORTIONS GEARINGLY ENGAGING IN SAID RECESSES, SAID BODY BEING ROTATABLY RESPONSIVE TO A FORCE APPLIED TO ONE OF SAID RACE MEMBERS WITH THE OTHER RACE MEMBER HELD STATIONARY, AND DEVELOPING A REACTION MOVING SAID ONE RACE MEMBER LATERALLY WITH RESPECT TO THE DIRECTION OF SAID FORCE. 